The clue is in the heading. This is indeed Edgar Westbury's own, much modified, motor from his hydroplane 'Golly'. The engine was first described in Model Engineer in 1935 and then illustrated several times in subsequent years. What makes this discovery so exciting is that it forms part of a collection of original Westbury engines and associated material that has been in the families possession since the death of ETW in 1970. Not only is the provenance beyond question, but as can be seen, none of the items has been touched in the intervening period. OTW is delighted to be able to share this item and in due course will bring you further details of this and of all the other original engines, as well as anything else of relevance that comes to light.
We are most grateful to the current custodian for the photos, and permission to use them. Dec 2012

The 'Bonzone' was designed by S.W. Phillips and produced by Bonds 'O' Euston Road from around 1926 to 1930/31. With its radial valve head it was a significantly better engine than the Simplex which replaced it, although it was only a change to a basic parallel valve head that distinguishes the two motors. It is suspected that it was the cost of machining the head for the company, or the difficulty of machining for the home constructors, which decided Bonds to drop it from their range. The Simplex sold for half the price of the Bonzone and is still relatively common. This rare example was missing several vital parts including camshaft, push rods, contact breaker and carb, yet still sold for over £200. The only other example we have seen had the valve seats missing the combustion chamber fore and aft and, for this reason, remains unfinished .
Photo Paul Rippingale          Nov 2012

There is something intrinsically attractive about square barrelled motors, whether in full sized or model form. Here is another example from Tom Clement's wonderful workshop, this time a 30cc version, built in the late 1970s.  Tom used this motor in his A Class Hellcat boat until it was replaced by the schnuerle ported motor used currently. As well as running his own boats, Tom runs the late Doc English's 15 and 30, which is currently undergoing some renovation. We hope, with Tom's help, to be able to put together a 'Pitbox Special at some stage looking at the background to all these engines.        Thanks to Tom Clement for this item. OTW photo. Oct 2012

The 'Simplex' as the name suggests was a more basic motor than the previous offering from Bond's, and cheaper as well. Most of the saving was in the cylinder head, a backward step in performance terms. Even with more advanced head designs, this engine was still woefully underpowered for serious hydroplane work. This is the 'racing' version cast in 'Electron' magnesium alloy, but with a float carburettor rather than the optional racing venturi. Further details of these engines are available on the the Commercial Four strokes page.

This item from the late Euan Forbes. OTW photo Sept 2012

Carter Special

Fred Carter achieved legendary status as a tuner of engines for speed flying and team racing. One of the first motors he re-worked was a Nordec before moving on to the McCoys and Doolings that he is best known for. Carter would discard any parts from the donor motors that did not meet his standards, including front and rear housings.  Eventually he would built motors that were entirely of his own manufacture, including the crankcases. Thanks to Dick Roberts for photos Sept 2012

Identifying these motors is always tricky as almost identical engines were produced by Bonds, Grays and Gamages. F.N. Sharpe is credited with the original design, marketed by  Economic Electric, although it appears in several guises from the late 1920s. The bronze cambox is a good guide and a look at the conrod can be most revealing, as the Grayson conveniently has Gray in raised lettering along its length. This example still has the early updraught intake and the screwed in exhaust and intake. It is destined for a period straight running hull, although with a bit of RC to keep it going in the right direction!

Thanks to Bill Whitely for this item and photos Aug 2012

Approximately 12 'Speedwell' 10cc motors were produced down in Rochester, Kent around 1947/48  by well known tethered car racer Ken Robinson. There are some similarities with another engine of Kentish origins, the Pioneer 10, for reasons that we hope will be explored in a more detailed article by someone who knows 'far more about it' than we do. The general opinion is that they were not very successful for a variety of reasons, including porous castings. Of the 12 built, 3 are known to survive and a 4th may be in circulation out there. We would certainly love to hear from anyone who has one of these very rare motors.

Thanks to Ken Smith for photos and information. July 2012

Thanks to Tracey for these images   June 2012

Start of a 'dynasty'

This 'as new' motor turned up at a swapmeet and caused a deal of 'head scratching' until a long time tethered hydro and car enthusiast cottoned on. It is one of the very earliest OPS 60s from around 1970 before the initials appeared on the transfer ports, and the forerunner of a family of immensely successful motors, many still in use. These early motors were used in cars and boats, but the Zimmerman disc valve meant that the motor could not be turned round, resulting in tuned pipes with U bends. Eventually a new crankcase solved that problem. Mind you, the OPS and Monza stamped on the lugs should have given a clue to its origins?
                                  Thanks to Stuart Robinson for the loan of this motor. May 2012

This horizontal twin boat engine is completely fabricated, which does give some clue as to its age and possible origins. A similar engine was described in Model Engineer. It seems to be based very much on the work of the Arkell brothers and was rumoured to have some connection with them. The use of pushrod operated inlet valves makes it significantly later than their better known motors. The owner would welcome any help in identification please.

Thanks to David Japp for this item and photos. April 2012

This must be one of the very earliest  boat motors to ever come onto the market. It was supplied by Gamages of Holborn as a 'Racing Boat Motor' and adverts exist as early as 1913, so it may even be earlier than that. The cast feet show that it was specifically designed to lay flat in a boat hull, although arranging a drive might have proved interesting. A final sale price of £818 was conservative for what might be a unique example of model engine history.

Thanks to the vendor for the photos.  Mar 2012

Another wonderful example of someone setting to and building a 10cc racing engine from scratch. The separate cylinder with its huge exhaust but moderate transfer passage is bolted to the crankcase via a flange, Hornet style. The choice of round head screws for the cylinder head is unusual as is the fixing of the front and rear housings with studs and nuts rather than screws. There are no clues at all as to who made it although the 1954 stamped on the crankcase flange could give us an idea as to when, making it relatively late.

Thanks to John Goodall for this item and photos. Feb 2012

We were missing one vital photo that would have given us a clue as to the maker of this motor as his name was engraved very clearly on the face of the prop driver. Following an appeal for information on the MEN site, the following was received from Sam Alexander up in Scotland.

I know  the full history of this engine, being the person who first purchased the unfinished motor from Mr. Cameron's daughter sometime in the late nineteen eighties. Mr. Cameron had been a watch maker  of some merit with a shop in the small town of Gatehouse of Fleet. In the late forties and early fifties, his hobby was building and  running tethered racing cars. At the time I purchased this engine, I also acquired the remainder of his equipment, including hand-built cars, parts and the remainder of his engines - GHQ's Hornet's etc,. all of which have now been sold on. The Cameron engine was the last one on which he worked before he died. I gave it to a good friend who, like myself, was into  vintage team racing and was also a qualified engineer. He stripped this motor, reworked it and made some  new parts before returning it to me. Over the years I never found a use for the engine so I sold it on  my stand at the British Nationals swap meet, about 2006 - 8.

It transpires that Mr Cameron was also the owner and builder of two tethered cars we featured some while ago. Thanks to Sam for all this valuable information.  Car 1   Car 2

A 'Sparky' motor with a difference

This copy of George Lines' iconic design came from the collection of the late Gerry Buck. It follows the published design almost exactly, even to the brass rimmed flywheel. The obvious diversion from the plan is the brass water jacket on the head and a venturi that is significantly smaller than usual. Whether it was originally built in this configuration or altered at a later date is not known, but it must have been a handful in anything other than a hydro. The engine mounting blocks as per George's design would suggest that it was intended for a hydro hull. OTW had to sit on their hands when it came up for auction at Gildings!

                                  Thanks to Stuart Robinson for this item. OTW photo Jan 2012